Specimen stamp
Encyclopedia
A specimen stamp is a postage stamp
or postal stationery
indicium sent to postmaster
s and postal administrations so that they are able to identify valid stamps and to avoid forgeries.
The usual method of invalidating the stamps is either overprinting in ink or perforating the word Specimen across the stamp and where English is not the common language, the words Muestra (Spanish), Monster (Dutch), Muster (German) or Образец (Russian) have been used instead.
, Two penny blue and the Mulready Letter Sheet
were sent to all British postmasters. These stamps were not marked in any way, but when the first British one shilling stamp was produced in 1847, examples sent to postmasters were marked with the word Specimen in order to prevent their postal use.
Since 1879 members of the Universal Postal Union
have supplied stamps to each other through the UPU's International Bureau and stamps supplied this way have frequently found their way on to the philatelic market. Specimen stamps have no postal validity so postal administrations are free to distribute them as widely as they like and this can include to stamp dealers, philatelic magazines, government bodies, embassies and as promotional items for philatelists.
As many specimen stamps are worth more than the originals, they have often been forged.
The use of specimen overprints is not restricted to postage stamps. It has also been used on revenue stamp
s and postal stationery
, including International Reply Coupon
s. A unique use was by the Portuguese U.P.U. officials at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries when they hand-stamped postal stationery from Cuba with the term "ULTRAMAR" (overseas) to prevent postal usage.
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
or postal stationery
Postal stationery
A piece of postal stationery is a stationery item, such as a stamped envelope, letter sheet, postal card, lettercard, aerogram or wrapper, with an imprinted stamp or inscription indicating that a specific rate of postage or related service has been prepaid...
indicium sent to postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
s and postal administrations so that they are able to identify valid stamps and to avoid forgeries.
The usual method of invalidating the stamps is either overprinting in ink or perforating the word Specimen across the stamp and where English is not the common language, the words Muestra (Spanish), Monster (Dutch), Muster (German) or Образец (Russian) have been used instead.
History
Specimen stamps have been in use since the earliest issues and in 1840 examples of the Penny BlackPenny Black
The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was issued in Britain on 1 May 1840, for official use from 6 May of that year....
, Two penny blue and the Mulready Letter Sheet
Mulready stationery
Mulready stationery describes the postal stationery lettersheets and pre-gummed envelopes that were introduced as part of the British Post Office postal reforms of 1840. They went on sale on 1 May, 1840, and were valid for use from 6 May...
were sent to all British postmasters. These stamps were not marked in any way, but when the first British one shilling stamp was produced in 1847, examples sent to postmasters were marked with the word Specimen in order to prevent their postal use.
Since 1879 members of the Universal Postal Union
Universal Postal Union
The Universal Postal Union is an international organization that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system. The UPU contains four bodies consisting of the Congress, the Council of Administration , the Postal Operations Council and the...
have supplied stamps to each other through the UPU's International Bureau and stamps supplied this way have frequently found their way on to the philatelic market. Specimen stamps have no postal validity so postal administrations are free to distribute them as widely as they like and this can include to stamp dealers, philatelic magazines, government bodies, embassies and as promotional items for philatelists.
As many specimen stamps are worth more than the originals, they have often been forged.
The use of specimen overprints is not restricted to postage stamps. It has also been used on revenue stamp
Revenue stamp
A revenue stamp, tax stamp or fiscal stamp is a adhesive label used to collect taxes or fees on documents, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, drugs and medicines, playing cards, hunting licenses, firearm registration, and many other things...
s and postal stationery
Postal stationery
A piece of postal stationery is a stationery item, such as a stamped envelope, letter sheet, postal card, lettercard, aerogram or wrapper, with an imprinted stamp or inscription indicating that a specific rate of postage or related service has been prepaid...
, including International Reply Coupon
International reply coupon
An international reply coupon is a coupon that can be exchanged for one or more postage stamps representing the minimum postage for an unregistered priority airmail letter of up to twenty grams sent to another Universal Postal Union member country...
s. A unique use was by the Portuguese U.P.U. officials at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries when they hand-stamped postal stationery from Cuba with the term "ULTRAMAR" (overseas) to prevent postal usage.
Further reading
- The De La RueDe La RueDe La Rue plc is a British security printing, papermaking and cash handling systems company headquartered in Basingstoke, Hampshire. It also has a factory on the Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, and other facilities at Loughton, Essex and Bathford, Somerset...
History of British & Foreign Postage Stamps 1855 to 1901, John EastonJohn Easton (philatelist)John Easton was a printer and distinguished philatelic author who signed the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1960.-Works:...
, Faber & Faber for The Royal Philatelic Society London, London, 1958. - Specimen Stamps of the Crown Colonies, 1857-1948, Marcus SamuelMarcus Samuel (philatelist)Marcus Francis Javier Samuel was a distinguished British philatelist who was an expert on the specimen stamps and revenue stamps of Britain and the British Commonwealth...
, Royal Philatelic Society London, London, 1976. (Supplement 1984) - Specimen Stamps and Stationery of Great Britain, Marcus Samuel & Allan Huggins, G.B. Philatelic Publications Ltd. Safron Walden, 1980. (Winner Crawford MedalCrawford MedalThe Crawford Medal is a vermeil medal awarded by the Royal Philatelic Society London for the most valuable and original contribution to the study and knowledge of philately published in book form during the relevant period....
1981) - UPU Specimen Stamps, James Bendon, Limassol, Cyprus, 1988. ISBN 9963762417.
- "The Universal Postal Union Collection: Postal Stationery" in British Library Philatelic Collections NewsletterBritish Library Philatelic CollectionsThe British Library Philatelic Collections is the national philatelic collection of the United Kingdom with over 8 million items from around the world. It was established in 1891 as part of the British Museum Library, later to become the British Library, with the collection of Thomas Tapling...
, Issue 15, Spring 2009.